Arab parties hold 19 seats as Eisenkot begins government formation process

JERUSALEM: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has formally tasked former army chief and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government following an inconclusive general election that left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political future uncertain.

Eisenkot received the mandate at a ceremony at the President’s Residence on Sunday, November 8 after securing recommendations from 67 members of the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu received 46 recommendations while a seven-member faction declined to endorse either candidate.

The October 27 election produced no clear parliamentary majority. Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats, while the four-party bloc supporting Eisenkot won 48. Arab-led parties secured a combined 19 seats marking their largest representation in the Knesset.

Although Likud remained the largest individual party with 27 seats the recommendations submitted during the presidential consultations gave Eisenkot the numerical advantage in the process of receiving the mandate.

The United Arab List (Ra’am) led by Mansour Abbas holds eight seats while the Joint List which includes Hadash, Ta’al and Balad has 11.

Both Arab-led factions recommended Eisenkot during consultations with the president. Their support however does not automatically mean they will join his government.

The possibility of relying on Arab parties from outside the coalition remains one of the options under discussion. However, reports indicate that Eisenkot has ruled out including Arab-led parties in the government leaving the precise arrangement uncertain.

Under Israel’s Basic Law Eisenkot has 28 days to assemble a government and secure the required parliamentary support. The president can grant an extension of up to 14 additional days.

If Eisenkot fails Herzog may assign the task to another Knesset member potentially Netanyahu. The political process could ultimately lead to another election if no candidate succeeds in forming a government.

In a message posted on X after receiving the mandate Eisenkot called for the formation of a national emergency government and pledged to work towards making it worthy of public confidence.

Netanyahu will continue serving as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed and wins a confidence vote in the Knesset.

If Eisenkot succeeds Netanyahu could move into opposition after nearly 19 years as Israel’s dominant political leader. However, the outcome remains uncertain with coalition negotiations expected to determine whether Eisenkot can secure sufficient support.

The coming weeks will therefore be crucial for Israel’s political direction as the rival blocs seek a workable arrangement to end the parliamentary deadlock.